The investigators hypothesize that switching to a regimen based on efavirenz will be as effective and safe as remaining on a regimen based on Lopinavir/ritonavir for HIV-infected children.

The investigators propose an unblinded randomized clinical trial to evaluate a simplification, protease-inhibitor (PI)-sparing treatment strategy among nevirapine (NVP)-exposed HIV-infected children treated initially with lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). HIV-infected children aged 3-5 years, who have a history of exposure to NVP as part of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), initiated LPV/r-based therapy in the first 36 months of life or who were enrolled on the control arm of Neverest 2 and who are virally suppressed with a viral load < 50 copies/ml will be included. These children will be randomized to either substitute efavirenz (EFV) for LPV/r or to continue on their LPV/r-based regimen. Eight weeks prior to the primary randomization, eligible children will also be randomized to either remain on stavudine (D4T) or switch to abacavir (ABC). Children will be followed with regular viral load and other clinical tests for 48 weeks after the primary randomization. Children in the experimental arm who have breakthrough viremia (-defined as two subsequent viral loads > 1000 copies/ml) on the EFV-based regimen will reinitiate the LPV/r regimen. The primary objective is to test whether the durability of viral suppression is equivalent when children are switched to EFV-based therapy. The primary study endpoint is failure to have HIV RNA < 50 copies/ml and/or confirmed viremia >1000 copies/ml. Secondary aims include comparison of immune preservation, toxicities, selection of resistance mutations, and adherence across the two arms. Antiretroviral drug concentrations and adherence will be investigated as possible explanations for the success and/or failure of this simplification regimen. The overall goal of the study is to contribute to the evidence base to allow expansion of treatment options for HIV-infected children in low resource settings.

Participants are assigned to remain on their current LPV/r-based antiretroviral regimen

Drug: Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)

Children are assigned to stay on their current LPV/r-based antiretroviral regimen.Dosing of medication will follow standard guidelines based on body surface area calculations or on body weight depending on drug, and will be in accordance with the South African Treatment guidelines.

Other Names:

Efavirenz (EFV)

D4T

Abacavir (ABC)

Experimental: Group 2: Efavirenz (EFV)

Participants are assigned to switch to an EFV-based antiretroviral regimen

Drug: Efavirenz

Children are assigned to begin a EFV-based antiretroviral based regimen. Dosing of medication will follow standard guidelines based on body surface area calculations or on body weight depending on drug, and will be in accordance with the South African Treatment guidelines.

Other Names:

Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r

D4T

Abacavir (ABC)

Active Comparator: Group D: D4T

Children are assigned to remain on their current antiretroviral regimen, which includes D4T

Drug: D4T

Children are assigned to stay on their current antiretroviral regimen which includes D4T. Dosing of medication will follow standard guidelines based on body surface area calculations or on body weight depending on drug, and will be in accordance with the South African Treatment guidelines.

Other Names:

Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)

Efavirenz (EFV)

Abacavir (ABC)

Experimental: Group A: Abacavir (ABC)

Children stop taking D4T and switch to ABC.

Drug: Abacavir (ABC)

Children stop taking D4T and switch to an abacavir. Dosing of medication will follow standard guidelines based on body surface area calculations or on body weight depending on drug, and will be in accordance with the South African Treatment guidelines.

Other Names:

Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)

Efavirenz (EFV)

D4T

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

3 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

HIV-infected child 3 to 5 years of age at time of screening for this trial if enrolled from outside or any age if enrolled from control arm of Neverest II.

Reliable history or documented exposure to NVP used as part of PMTCT

Initiated antiretroviral therapy with LPV/r at age less than 36 months

Receiving LPV/r-based ART for at least 12 months

At least one viral load measurement less than 50 copies/ml conducted as part of screening for the study

ALT measurement grade I or less (DAIDS Toxicity Tables 2004) (Appendix A). These may be repeated until ALTs normalize if necessary.

Exclusion criteria:

Prior treatment with any NNRTI drug as part of a therapeutic regimen

Substitution of other NRTI drugs (instead of 3TC and D4T which are the standard first line regimen) will be allowed.

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01146873